ERIE, Pa. - The Mercyhurst men's basketball team looks to begin a new winning streak on Saturday afternoon when they visit the Vulcans of California University of Pennsylvania in a battle for third in the Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Western Division at the Convocation Center.
Game Information
Opponent - California University of Pennsylvania Vulcans
Date - Saturday, January 25
Time - 3 pm
Location - California, Pa. (Convocation Center)
Series History - Hurst leads 21-7, (Lakers won last meeting 89-61 at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center on 2/20/19.)
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Last Time Out
Mercyhurst fell behind 18-0 midway through the first half and trailed by a dozen at halftime. The Lakers closed the gap to six with about eight minutes left in the game, but a 7-0 Slippery Rock run in response kept the home side at bay and helped them to preserve the 62-52 win. It was the first time all season the Lakers had not led in a game and only the second occasion where they dropped a game on the home floor.
MiyKah McIntosh paced the team in scoring with 17, followed by
Zach McIntire who dropped 12 points and finished just short of a double-double grabbing nine boards.
Michael Bradley and
Cameron Gross chipped in 8 and 7 points respectively.
Scouting the Lakers (10-6, 8-4 PSAC)
Team Numbers
Mercyhurst averages 75.3 points per game, while holding their opposition to 66.5. Their +8.8 scoring margin ranks 51st nationally. They shoot 48.3% from the floor, while they are 72.5% at the charity line. The Lakers are at 42% shooting outside the arc which is now good fifth in the nation and tops in the conference. At the defensive end of the floor they are pulling in 31.3 rebounds, putting up just under seven steals per game with 6.8, and are averaging 2.3 blocks per game.
Protect the Ball
The Lakers have done a fantastic job of protecting the ball as their 170 turnovers on the season ranks fourth in the country and first in the PSAC. Mercyhurst is 14th nationally in average turnovers per game with 10.6 which is also second-best in conference.
Defense, Defense, Defense
Defense has been the name of the game for the Lakers as they have held their competition to under 70 points in 18 of their last 25 games and ten of the 16 games this campaign. Mercyhurst has allowed 70+ points six times so far this season on November 23, 2019 in an 87-85 win at home versus Millersville, the 83-80 overtime loss at West Chester, the 76-66 setback home against Le Moyne, falling at ESU 83-64, at IUP 71-56, and on the road at UPJ in an 82-74 win.
Bench Scoring is Huge
Mercyhurst continues to be strong even outside their starting lineup as they are outscoring their opponents 417-270 for a +147 scoring margin.
Sharing the Wealth
McIntosh leads a duo of double-digit scorers with 14.1 and is joined in that group by 10.8 from Gross. McIntire chips in 9.1, while
Michael Bradley and
Joel Ufele each add over eight points per contest.
Trystan Pratapas nets seven per game, followed by
Steve Cannady and
Nicholas Lang who each drop six.
Block Party
Mercyhurst has 37 blocks as a team, led by a team-high eleven from Ufele. Eight other Lakers have recorded blocks on the season as well, including seven by both
Andrew Seager and McIntire.
NCAA Leaders
Bradley ranks 46th in the country and is second in the PSAC in assist-turnover ratio posting a 2.38.
Scouting the Vulcans (12-6, 8-4 PSAC)
California (Pa.) comes into Saturday's contest in a good run of form having been victorious in five of their last six games, which includes a nail-biting 68-64 win at Gannon University on Wednesday night. The Vulcans put up 81.9 points per game and allow 75.3 to the opposition. As a unit they shoot 45.2% from the floor, 36.5% outside the arc, and 74.5% on the foul line. California (Pa.) grabs 36.4 rebounds per game and cough the ball up only 12.9 times. They also convert their opponents miscues into 18.3 ppg. The Lakers will need to slow down a trio of double-figure scorers headed up by Brent Pegram who leads the Vulcans with 19.8 points, followed by Zyan Collins and Luke House who add 15.4 and 14.9 respectively. Jermaine Hall Jr. is just off the pace scoring 9.2, while Phillip Alexander chips in 8.8. Hall is the leading rebounder hauling in 7.2 per game, followed by House and Collins who each grab over five. Danny Sancomb leads the Vulcans into battle for the 13th season.
On Deck - Home Sweet Home
Mercyhurst returns to play next week when they host Edinboro on Wednesday and nationally-ranked Indiana University of Pennsylvania on Saturday both at the Mercyhurst Athletic Center. The Lakers will look to take advantage of the home court where they are 7-2 on the season.
